Michael Karr is a professional, Manhattan-based, formally trained, award winning, critically acclaimed trumpet player, skilled keyboardist, composer, lyricist and producer.

In the evolving and changing world of today’s music, aside from his years of experience, a natural talent for music and a near perfect ear, Michael has stayed current and relevant in today’s music scene. He learned from the best of the old school musicians, most of who have now passed away. This mentoring, combined with years of formal training, gives Michael a sound and feel rarely found in the musicians of his generation and younger. Michael is currently composing, recording and producing a Pop/R&B/Soul album in his Greenwich Village studio. When he is not touring, recording and playing R&B, Michael can be found among the best jazz musicians in the area. His jazz Karrtet features a rotation including Ron Affif, Victor Jones, John Benitez, Alex Blake and Essiet Essiet.

Michael has been a professional musician for over to 30 years, recording his first album at age 11. As a teenager he quickly made a name for himself among the music giants of his childhood home of Pittsburgh. While still in the 9th grade, he was granted a music scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University, which he began the following year. Soon after, he was given a full scholarship to Duquesne University, where he studied music by day and played music at night with some the most popular pop, R&B, soul, blues and jazz groups in town. When heavy hitters came to Pittsburgh, they would play with Michael. Michael worked with the great Nathan Davis at Pitt University. He withdrew before completing a Master’s Degree at age 19 to travel four days a week with Billy Price and the Keystone Rhythm Band. With Michael’s writing, multi-instrumental and vocal contributions, including two songs from the acclaimed Free at Last album, the band won several awards.

Michael became one of the most sought after musicians on the Eastern Seaboard, recording with various artists and studios, playing piano, producing drum tracks and hitting Billboard charts. During his years of touring and playing from Chicago to Florida to New Orleans to St. Louis, Michael recorded for several labels including 3C, Laurie, Antenna Records and Corona Rounder’s, to name a few. He has been sought after to produce records for singers and musicians due to his skill on the synthesizer, drum programming, sequencing and sampling. Sheridan Broadcasting Network WAMO requested that Michael write and produce music for the popular radio show Top 30 USA with Donnie Simpson, which aired every Saturday on 169 stations and in Europe and Japan. Michael was asked by WDUQ’s Tony Mowad and Chuck Leavens to record live, a first for the station with whom he recorded with for several years. Michael also recorded an album with the legendary Houston Person.

Michael was in heavy demand in the pop and R&B scenes, traveling and performing with such greats as Billy Joel, The Whispers, The O’Jays, Dennis Williams, Roy Buchannan, The Human League, The Jets, After 7, Mary Wilson, the Tommy Dorsey Band and the Drifters. Michael has worked with Phil Nichols of Studio 4 Recording in Philadelphia (Darryl Hall, the Fresh Prince, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Kriss Kross). He has played with the best in the business, too numerous to name. A few are Alex Blake, Arnie Lawrence, B.B. King, Cecil Brooks III, Claudio Roditi, Dave Budway, Dennis Irwin, Dennis Williams, Dodo Marmarosa, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Dwayne Dolphin, Essiet Essiet, George Benson, Grady Tate, Grover Washington Jr., Houston Person, James Moody, Jay and Marty Ashby, Jeff T. Watts, Jimmy Ponder, Joe Cohn, Joe Negri, John Benitez, Kirk Lightsey, Mark Murphy, Mary Wilson, Ned Gold, Randy Johnston, Rodney Jones, Ray Brown, Rhoda Scott, Roger Tucker, Roger Humphries, Ron Affif, Russell George, Scott Lee, Stanley Turrentine, and Victor Jones.

Michael has held several residencies around New York City and played at nearly every music venue of note. He held a residency at St. Nick Pub for 3 years, a residency at Mannahatta for 2 years (Jazz Improv Magazine Noteworthy Performance), a residency at Blue Water Grill and Arturo’s as well as gigs and appearances at hot rooms such as 8th Street Café, American Legion Post (Col. Charles Young 398), Arthur’s Tavern, Arturo’s, Augie’s, Birdland, Blue Note, Cleopatra’s Needle, Bubble Lounge, Cachaça, Cafe Creole, Camaradas El Barrio, Cleopatra’s Needle, Creole, De Lounge, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, EZ’s Woodshed, Fat Cat, Fez under Time Café, First Avenue Café, Garage, the Groove, Iridium, Jazz at Shabazz, Jazz Fridays at St. Martins, Jazz Gallery, Jazz Mobile, Knickerbockers Bar and Grill, Knitting Factory, Le Jazz Au Bar, Lennox Lounge, Mannahatta, Minton’s Playhouse, Mo’Bay, Pumpkin’s, Red Blazer, Robin’s Nest Restaurant & Bar, Roth’s Westside Steakhouse, S.O.B.’s (Sounds of Brazil), Showman’s, Shrine, Smalls, Smoke, St. Marks Café, Sugar Hill Bistro, Sweet Rhythm/Sweet Basil, Swing 46, The Bell Café, The Bitter End, The Blue Note, The Newsroom, Village Vanguard, XR Bar, Zinc Bar to name a few. Michael has played two Presidential Inaugural Balls and a multitude of official New York City functions for former Mayer Giuliani. Michael is a respected and integral part of the music scene.

After over 20 years with a well known management company, Michael has been traveling and working on new projects for major labels, but is always writing, producing, recording and performing; Michael has recorded and been featured on 34 albums. He mentors young performers and is always available to help the next generation with their music theory homework and the occasional lesson.

Michael is available for professional studio recording sessions (see contact info).